Woods By Numbers

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I feel like a golden oldie as I catch up with I Heart Norwegian Wood as I think back to our very early collaboration when Angie Johnson made my frilly cagey dreams come true back in 2008.  For love or money even if I become all lumpy and bulgey in all the wrong places, there's no way I'll be parting with that dress.  It feels extra good to know that since our foray into lingerie-inspired cages, I Heart Norwegian Wood has been on the up, collaborating with the likes of Topshop and now having sent a bumper order off to Anthropologie.  Despite these huge retail endeavours, she hasn't deserted her original Etsy store and her new A/W 12-3 collection will soon be dripping in, bit by bit, ready to warm our cockles (whatever that means…) with her distinctly autumnal collection.  The 70s geometric retro bug got her as she looked at that pastime of yesteryear; paint-by-numbers as inspiration for her prints, which she transferred to a bag in collaboration with local designer Kimberly Fletcher.  

Actually Angie's ties with the local Montreal design scene seem to have become intrinsic to her work.  For instance the wooden jewellery, inspired by pots of paint in a paint-by-numbers kit, were created with Devin Barrette, part of a local furniture collective Furni.  She also worked with a local textiles manufacturer to create a custom knit fabric used a skirt, a maxi dress and a pair of knitted shorts that even Angie knew had my name written all over them.

Angie then looked at old family photo albums, plastic covered couches, actresses like Oliva Hussey and Gloria Steinem and the Richard Linklater film Dazed & Confused to inspire the wood-y and faded hues for the collection and the sort of girl that would layer up swans, plastic skirts with leather applique and deer-printed turtlenecks.  If you do buy anything from the collection and don't go leaf-crunching whilst wearing it, that would be a picturesque autumnal opportunity missed.  

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23 comments

  5. What an amazing journey for Angela, I’ve just gone back a few posts to see the original request for the cage dress, then read the post to see the cage dress being brought to life and now to read about her very own brand excelling brilliantly!

  11. Hi Susie!
    What beautiful pieces! I especially love the paint-by-number prints. Gah to die for. Can’t wait for fall clothing even though it’s still majorly hot still. I’ve been out of the loop with the whole fashion blog scene but you’re still one of my favorite bloggers out there and your pieces on these unique/quirky/indie designers are one of the reasons I keep coming back. Visual inspiration for getting through the day!
    Luv, Lala
    http://lalaandsasi.com/blog

  13. Gorgeous pieces, and make you believe even more that history repeats itself. It really does make you reluctant about throwing away some old stuff in your closet. No wonder people are such hoarders these days, with such beautiful clothes being re made with vintage touch.
    Again, GORGEOUS PIECES (especially drooling over the bag and first shirt/dress) GOSH

  14. I am a huge fan of Norwegian Wood – and have been so glad to watch Angie’s journey so far. Loving these new pieces!

  15. Norwegian Wood! So bloody cool. I really dig the wooden jewels and the brocade collar shirt. Though I’d be happy to take any of it home with me! Thanks for another great post.

  18. A gorgeous post in a wonderful blog. I do have say that Gloria Steinem was not an actress, but one of the women responsible for the womens rights movement, and a hero to many.

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